| Answers to "References you expect your nearest and dearest to get..." |
[Sep. 17th, 2007|10:11 am] |
I've not been too well over the last couple of days. Before that I went to a wedding and then to a study group, which I will post about at some point if only to look back on in the future and remember that I have decided to do a PhD for good reasons, even if it will be difficult.
But first - the answers:
1. Beware of Greeks bearing an olive oil surplus
This comes from Yes Minister, and reflects the many wonderful exchanges in the show. I found the full exchange on wikiquote:
Jim Hacker: Sir Mark thinks there might be votes in it, and I do not intend to look a gift horse in the mouth. Sir Humphrey: I put it to you, Minister, that you are looking a Trojan horse in the mouth. Jim Hacker: You mean if we look closely at this gift horse, we'll find it's full of Trojans? Bernard: Um, if you had looked the Trojan Horse in the mouth, Minister, you would have found Greeks inside. Well, the point is that it was the Greeks who gave the Trojan horse to the Trojans, so technically it wasn't a Trojan horse at all, it was a Greek horse. Hence the tag "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes", which, you will recall, is usually and somewhat inaccurately translated as "beware of Greeks bearing gifts", or doubtless you would have recalled, had you not attended the LSE. Jim Hacker: Yes, well I'm sure Greek tags are all very well in their way, but can we stick to the point? Bernard: Sorry, sorry, Greek tags? Jim Hacker: "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts." I suppose the EEC equivalent would be "Beware of Greeks bearing an olive oil surplus". Sir Humphrey: Excellent, Minister. Bernard: No, well, the point is, Minister, that just as the Trojan horse was in fact Greek, what you describe as a Greek tag is in fact Latin. It's obvious really: the Greeks would never suggest bewaring of themselves, if one can use such a participle, bewaring that is, and it's clearly Latin, not because 'timeo' ends in '-o', because the Greek first person also ends in '-o' - although actually there is a Greek word 'timēo', meaning 'I honour' - but the '-os' ending is a nominative singular termination of a second declension in Greek, and accusative plural in Latin, of course, although actually 'Danaos' is not only the Greek for 'Greek' it's also the Latin for 'Greek'. It's very interesting, really.
2. Oh my god. What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?! Oh right, that would be me. Back to work.
Ahh Firefly, how I love thee... Anyone that has managed not to see this so far should go.... right now.... go on....
3. I'll kill you with my shoe.
This is of course from the West Wing (feel shame, ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) e_pepys ). It's said by Mandy when the person she's advising does something very stupid - this is how she ends up in the west wing instead.
4. This must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays.
Hitchhiker's guide. Poor Arthur, never quite getting the hang of anything much.
5. I laugh in the face of danger! Then I hide until it goes away.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Said by Xander to try to convince Buffy to let him come slaying.
6. The truth might be out there, but the lies are inside your head.
Terry Pratchett. From Hogfather, in a footnote (I didn't remember exactly which book it was from, only that I liked the Terry Pratchett quote.
7. I know that there are people who do not love their fellow man, and I hate people like that!
There always has to be a Lehrer quote. This is when introducing National Brotherhood Week.
8. What do you want, you moon-faced assassin of joy?
From Babylon 5. This is said by Londo when woken up with a hangover by Vir.
9. I hate personal violence, especially when I'm the person.
I've been watching Blake's 7. This is said by the eternal coward - Villa.
10. Didn't that tape say there's no fish in your pond?
This is from Stargate SG1 and represents a repeating joke about O'Neill and fishing.
Well done to everyone who guessed the quotes. Particular congratulations to e_pepyswho got 7/10 and to foreverdirt who got 8/10 with the prompt on number 10 that she ought to get it. |
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